Nozzle Lift: lift exerted by a tethered balloon, measured at the tether attachment point

Free Lift: Difference between tethered balloon lift (the Nozzle Lift) and the Payload mass (free lift is the amount of lifting force provided by the balloon in excess of that needed to suspend the payload) ﻿

"Geostationary" satellites fly in an orbit twenty-two thousand miles above the equator circling the Earth at the same rate as the equator turns -- once per day. This geostationary orbit is the key feature of the GOES satellite: it can constantly watch the western hemisphere for unpredictable weather.

"Operational" distinguishes it from experimental satellites. GOES works around the clock so we do not miss seeing storms breaking out.

"Environmental" is in the acronym because GOES also measures atmospheric temperature, moisture, and winds.